Dawn of the Dead

In the wake of a sudden zombie outbreak, a small group of strangers bands together for safety as the world outside dissolves into chaos. They find temporary shelter in a shopping mall, where glass storefronts become barriers and the food court becomes a lifeline. The plan is simple: wait out the nightmare, ration supplies, and hold the line against the endless horde. But tension grows as personalities clash and fear influences every choice about who stays and who acts. The mall becomes a microcosm of society, with alliances forming and rules tested under pressure toward an uncertain tomorrow.

Directed by Zack Snyder, this 2004 remake draws on George A Romero's Dawn of the Dead with a screenplay by James Gunn. It updates the classic premise for a modern audience while paying homage to the original.

It grossed $102,278,712 worldwide on a $26,000,000 budget, proving a strong return for a modern horror remake and signaling Zack Snyder's readiness to helm big screen action.

The film helped redefine 2000s zombie cinema by pairing fast paced, kinetic action with a claustrophobic setting inside a familiar retail labyrinth. Its mall siege imagery and practical effects left a lasting imprint on later thrillers and video games.

Critics generally welcomed the direction and energy while noting the film reframes Romero's idea through a visceral modern lens. Key themes include survival ethics under pressure, consumer culture as shelter and trap, and how communities form amid fear and scarcity.